The University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine, which received CODA initial accreditation in September 2025 and welcomed its inaugural class of 54 students in June 2026, is a private dental school in the heart of Appalachian Eastern Kentucky. The school trains DMD students with an explicit mission to address the catastrophic oral health disparities of the Appalachian region — among the worst in the United States. Co-located with UPIKE's College of Osteopathic Medicine, the school offers an interprofessional health education environment in a community that desperately needs more healthcare providers. UPIKE Tanner delivers its DMD on an accelerated three-year (three calendar years) schedule, a model used by only a few US dental schools.
What makes it different
The University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine received CODA initial accreditation in 2025, runs an accelerated three-year DMD (three calendar years rather than four academic years — a model used by only a few US dental schools), and is among the newest dental schools in the United States. Located in Pikeville — the economic center of Eastern Kentucky's coal country — the school exists specifically to address Appalachian Kentucky's severe oral health crisis. Pike County has among the highest rates of tooth loss in the United States. UPIKE also operates a College of Osteopathic Medicine, providing an interprofessional campus context.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. Accelerated three-year DMD curriculum (three calendar years versus the usual four academic years) with strong community health emphasis — a model shared by only a handful of US dental schools. Newly established program — curriculum details subject to refinement in initial years. Clinical rotations in Eastern Kentucky Appalachian communities. Interprofessional modules shared with UPIKE College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Research strengths
University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine (DMD) has notable research strength in Appalachian oral health disparities, Rural dentistry, Oral-systemic disease, Community oral health, Substance use disorder and oral health.
Interview
University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one faculty interview. Pikeville Dental interview day includes a traditional one-on-one faculty session of approximately 30–45 minutes, combined with a campus tour and program overview. Pikeville is in the heart of Appalachian Kentucky — interviewers place exceptional emphasis on applicants' genuine commitment to serving rural and underserved communities in one of the US regions with the most severe oral health disparities. Questions cover manual dexterity, oral-systemic health, ADA ethics, tobacco and substance-related oral disease (highly prevalent in Pike County and surrounding Appalachian communities), and understanding of Appalachian culture and healthcare barriers.
Intake
Approximately 40–60 students per year (inaugural class; numbers may vary).
At a glance
Founded in 2025, based in Pikeville, KY. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Community Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics.
